Troy Coughlin Jr. was the No. 1 Pro Stock qualifier for Sunday's eliminations in the Menards NHRA Nationals. [Photo by NHRA]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The name Coughlin and Pro Stock are almost synonymous, with the family carving out a long legacy of success in the NHRA division.
Jeg Coughlin Sr. began competing in the class shortly after Pro Stock became an NHRA class followed by sons Troy Coughlin Sr. and Jeg Coughlin Jr., who five world titles and 65 races.
Now Troy Coughlin Jr.is well on his way to creating his own identity in the sport in his first full season, including earning the No. 1 Pro Stock qualifying spot Saturday in the Menards NHRA Nationals at Heartland Motorsports Park.
"It's an absolute honor to be here and to have this name,'' Coughlin Jr. said. "It's just normal to be in Pro Stock. My dad won this race when I was in the sixth grade in 2002 and I remember how exciting that was and how excited I was, so it's really cool to say that we've got this feather in our cap.''
Troy Coughlin Jr. [NHRA]
Coughlin finished off a banner day with a run of 6.600 seconds at 205.07 miles per hour in his JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro.
"It's a big testament to the Elite (Motorsports) guys and the JEGS guys,'' Coughlin said. "They're working hard and they're making great choices and giving me a great car to drive.''
Coughlin had claimed the top spot in Saturday's first qualifying session, but then had to take it back from four-time champion and current points leader Greg Anderson on the final run of the final session.
Coughlin will take on Cristian Cuadra to open eliminations (11 a.m. start) as Coughlin tries to follow up his No. 1 qualifier with his first Pro Stock win.
“The guys in the yellow and black, and the Elite group are excellent in what they do,” Coughlin said. “They know the cars, the track and the conditions we’re up against, and it’s going to be an excellent Sunday, so let’s go racing.”
Anderson just missed out on qualifying No. 1 for the ninth time in 10 Pro Stock races this season, finishing second with a 6.606 at 206.67 m.p.h.
Defending world champ Erica Enders made a pair of good runs on Saturday, qualifying third with a 6.612 at 207.18.
MENARDS NHRA NATIONALS
Sunday's pairings
Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.716 seconds, 329.02 mph vs. 14. Scott Palmer, 4.223, 215.10; 2. Billy Torrence, 3.717, 322.27 vs. 13. Terry Totten, 4.161, 244.03; 3. Mike Salinas, 3.739, 316.08 vs. 12. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.904, 305.84; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.747, 324.36 vs. 11. Leah Pruett, 3.897, 314.31; 5. Justin Ashley, 3.769, 324.05 vs. 10. Alex Laughlin, 3.846, 317.34; 6. Clay Millican, 3.798, 316.38 vs. 9. Doug Kalitta, 3.815, 289.63; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.805, 311.34 vs. 8. Antron Brown, 3.808, 322.34.
Funny Car -- 1. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 3.884, 332.67 vs. Bye; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.894, 329.67 vs. 15. Chris King, Toyota Camary, 5.776, 118.37; 3. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.905, 328.86 vs. 14. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 5.004, 153.25; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.911, 325.14 vs. 13. Jack Wyatt, Charger, 4.319, 226.43; 5. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.920, 332.92 vs. 12. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.070, 293.98; 6. John Force, Camaro, 3.944, 325.92 vs. 11. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.013, 277.60; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.962, 322.19 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.969, 301.67; 8. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.962, 320.05 vs. 9. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.968, 324.36.
Pro Stock -- 1. Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Camaro, 6.600, 205.07 vs. 16. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.672, 206.23; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.606, 206.67 vs. 15. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.668, 205.38; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.612, 207.18 vs. 14. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.644, 204.17; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.617, 207.82 vs. 13. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.644, 208.10; 5. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.621, 206.61 vs. 12. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.641, 206.73; 6. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.622, 207.24 vs. 11. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.640, 206.61; 7. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.622, 206.01 vs. 10. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.640, 206.67; 8. Bruno Massel, Camaro, 6.639, 202.58 vs. 9. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.640, 207.24.
